AECID Philippines

07/07/2026

AECID Representatives Visit WBA Project Sites in Basilan

Representatives from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), from both its Headquarters in Spain and its Philippines Office in Manila, visited project sites in the Municipality of Maluso, Basilan as part of their mission under the Modelling Inter-LGU Alliance in Basilan (MILAB) Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) since 2017 with AECID support.

During the visit, the delegation toured key MILAB-supported facilities in Maluso, including the Community Radio Station, the Coastal Resources Development and Training Center (Dive Center), and the Bottled Sardines Enterprise Development Facility. Through dialogues with beneficiaries, Alliance Management Office personnel, and WBA leaders, the mission provided an opportunity to see firsthand how the project has helped strengthen livelihoods and promote sustainable local economic development in Western Basilan.

The visit also brought together AECID, IAG, and leaders of the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA), reaffirming their longstanding partnership and shared commitment to advancing peace and development in Basilan. Building on the gains of previous initiatives, AECID and IAG are also launching a new intervention to further strengthen the alliance through a Shared Service Facility for the fishery and seafood industry.

Photo credits: Ferdie Mar Lamsen

10/06/2026

Lighting the Way: Bringing the Impact of Light at Home to Island Communities

Representatives from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) recently visited acciona.org’s Light at Home project sites in Palawan to better understand how decentralized renewable energy is transforming lives in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

In Cagbuli Island, El Nido, 90 households now have access to solar home systems, bringing reliable electricity to homes for the first time. Families shared how electricity has improved daily life—children can study after sunset, parents can better care for young children at night, and households can extend productive hours for work, safety, and family time.
The delegation also visited Villa Paz, where they met community partner Nanay Lorna, highlighting the importance of local support systems in sustaining the program’s long-term impact.

Building on these results, acciona.org Philippines and AECID are exploring opportunities to expand similar clean energy solutions to remote island communities in Cebu, aiming to bring reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to more families in need.

The visit formed part of a week-long mission by AECID officials from its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, including Ms. Irene Seco, Technical Adviser for the Middle East and the Philippines, and Ms. Raquel López, Country Specialist for the Philippines, to gain firsthand experience of the projects currently being implemented by AECID in the Philippines.

10/06/2026

08/06/2026

Spanish Cooperation in the Philippines visits Indigenous women farmers in Porac, Pampanga

On May 28, 2026, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) visited the Ayta Indigenous Women Farmers in Porac, Pampanga.

Implemented by Sulong Peace Inc. (SPI), the Porac project highlights the strong connection between indigenous farming knowledge and sustainable development. The women shared practices such as seed preservation, organic cultivation, crop diversification, and resource-efficient farming rooted in ancestral wisdom and aligned with the principles of the green and circular economy.

They also emphasized indigenous climate knowledge in disaster prevention, using traditional practices to anticipate seasonal changes, protect crops, and strengthen community resilience.

More than food producers, Indigenous women farmers are guardians of culture, biodiversity, and resilience — embodying a holistic approach to sustainability grounded in solidarity, spirituality, and care for the land.

The visit formed part of a week-long mission by AECID officials from its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, including Ms. Irene Seco, Technical Adviser for the Middle East and the Philippines, and Ms. Raquel López, Country Specialist for the Philippines, to gain firsthand experience of the projects currently being implemented by AECID in the Philippines.

03/06/2026

Women are leading change in rural Philippines. Through the support of Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, FRS has successfully completed the project, “A Commitment to a Sustainable Rural Future Led by Women in Pili,” aimed at empowering rural women through sustainable agribusiness opportunities.

Ten productive facilities - including goat farms, mushroom production centers, agricultural farms, and food processing plants - have been officially handed over to women-led cooperatives in Camarines Sur. These facilities are expected to create new opportunities for income generation, entrepreneurship, and local economic development.

15/05/2026

Project: " Promoting Women's Access to Green and Circular Entrepreneurship and Their Protection Against Disasters in Vulnerable Communities in Zamboanga"

Through the partnership between AECID, the Philippine Red Cross, and the Spanish Red Cross, important milestones have been achieved to strengthen community resilience, environmental sustainability, and women's empowerment in vulnerable coastal communities in Zamboanga.

The recent turnover of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) will support improved waste and resource management, contributing to cleaner communities and creating opportunities for sustainable and circular livelihoods. In parallel, community members participated in a mangrove monitoring workshop following the successful planting of more than 25,300 mangroves, reinforcing local capacities to protect coastal ecosystems and reduce disaster risks.

At the center of these initiatives are women's associations, whose active participation in governance, environmental action, and green entrepreneurship is helping drive inclusive and community-led resilience for the future.

13/05/2026

The Head of Spanish Cooperation in the Philippines, Violeta Domínguez Acosta, participated as a panelist at the ASEAN Business Media Exchange 2026 held on 7 May 2026, together with key leaders from the government and private sector. The whole-day event gathered stakeholders to discuss important regional issues, including energy security, food security, migrant workers, and ASEAN investments.

During the panel discussion, “From Resilience to Collaborative Growth: Investing in Emerging Opportunities,” Ms. Domínguez highlighted the strategic role of AECID in advancing ASEAN priorities through impactful development initiatives in the Philippines focused on renewable energy, climate resilience, the circular economy, and sustainable agriculture.

27/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day 💜
Celebrating strength, resilience, and brilliance everywhere.

Feliz Día de la Mujer 💜
Hoy y siempre, honramos el poder de las mujeres.

25/03/2026

As International Women’s Month comes to a close, we celebrate the strength, leadership, and impact of women everywhere 💜

We are honored to spotlight our very own Head of Spanish Cooperation, Violeta Domínguez Acosta, whose leadership continues to champion and empower women across all spaces—at home, in the workplace, in schools, in business, in the academe, and in government.

Here’s to breaking barriers, uplifting voices, and creating opportunities for every woman to thrive.

Happy International Women's Day!